Impact of November 2023 Storms along the Southern Black Sea Coastline

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of two successive storm events that impacted the Black Sea coasts in November 2023. Using a combination of meteorological and oceanographic datasets, satellite altimetry, and an extensive post-disaster field survey conducted at most of the affected regions along the Southern Black Sea coastline, the characteristics of storms and their impacts on coastal structures and communities are documented in detail. The storms, spaced just one week apart, generated significant wave heights exceeding 7–8 m offshore, wind speeds above 20–25 m/s, and widespread coastal inundation. Despite the limitations in the spatial resolution of global datasets, particularly in capturing localized wind and wave conditions, datasets provided valuable insights together with observational data. Field observations revealed recurring structural damages across the region, particularly the breakwater crown walls, due to high wave impact. At several harbors, displaced armor units contributed to damage. Inundation extends up to 270 m, highlighting the extreme wave run-up and overtopping during the storms. A digital repository containing photos and videos was also developed and openly shared via the Zenodo platform to support further research and documentation. This study contributes a unique and open-access dataset, empirical insights on structural damage mechanisms, and a baseline for improving future coastal hazard assessments in semi-enclosed seas such as the Black Sea.